This is how silence sounds with these next-generation headphones

If you've ever wondered what silence sounds like, don't try going to a deserted island. The breeze, the waves or the songs of the birds are very relaxing, but it is not an absence of noise. Obtaining it is not easy, but it can be achieved to a great extent to make the music we listen to clearer.

In recent years, headphones with active noise cancellation have proliferated, both in-ear —the small ones that are inserted into the ear— and circumaural —better known as headband—, which cover the entire auditory pavilion. They greatly reduce the amount of noise coming from outside and not only make the music listening experience cleaner, they also reduce the stress produced by persistent sounds such as machinery and motors.

to the ear but do not eliminate it, or active cancellation, which manages to neutralize it in a large proportion through technology.

To get the sound of silence, you actually have to create a new noise that drowns out the original

A sound is transmitted in the form of a wave. If that wave is copied and transmitted at the same time, but inversely, what happens is that both sound waves neutralize each other: they cancel each other out. The result is the apparent absence of noise. The paradox is that to get the sound of silence in these headphones, you actually have to create a new noise that drowns out the original.

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The elements necessary to make external noise disappear to a large extent are very basic: one or several microphones that pick up the sound that you want to suppress, a processor capable of interpreting that signal and creating the inverse wave that neutralizes it and, finally, the loudspeaker that reproduces it. With all that magic is achieved.

The best way to experience active noise cancellation is to use these types of headphones on an airplane. Suddenly, the traveler discovers how the hum of the engines disappears to a great extent and the trip becomes more pleasant, whether he listens to music, watches some audiovisual content or simply uses the headphones in silence.

The arrival of this technology occurred first in headband headphones, where it is easier to achieve a first passive isolation of the ear and where there is more space to place the technological components that make active cancellation possible. But manufacturers have persisted in bringing that experience to practical in-ear headphones that are smaller and easier to carry everywhere. Although none is as effective as its older brothers, because having such enveloping passive isolation, the difference is notable with those that cannot suppress external noise.

This technology first came to over-ear headphones, now it is being tried in earphones as well

The great explosion of models with active noise cancellation has occurred in the last few years basically because the technology that makes it possible has become affordable. The first company that popularized this type of headphones was Bose with its QuietComfort 35 model, especially with its second version. Today, this manufacturer is among the best in a market where competition has been unleashed.

Although Bose remains as a reference and has launched new models, one of the companies that has made a more overwhelming commitment in recent years has been Sony. Its current WH-1000XM4 circumaural and VF-1000XM4 in-ear models are at the pinnacle of active noise cancellation technology.

They have not been left alone. In December of last year, Apple launched another iconic device, the Airpods Max, its first circumaural headphones, to which, in addition to the house-brand design and effective active noise cancellation, it incorporated technologies such as adaptive equalization and spatial sound.

Active noise cancellation in headphones is here to stay, although some people may feel that the sound quality of music may be partially dampened by using that technology. Most of us will find it difficult to perceive that decline.

The popularization of this technology is making headphones with active noise cancellation available in a very wide range of prices. There are models like the Beoplay H95 from Bang & Olufsen, which cost 800 euros, or the Skullcandy Hesh ANC, which is priced at 130 euros. The range is very wide and with many options. The same goes for the small ones for the inside of the ear. Isolation is increasingly possible even if it is not on a deserted island.

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